The purpose of this research is to demonstrate that mild stimulation of a nerve (trigeminal nerve) in the head can modulate blood flow in the brain. The modulated blood flow will restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and this in turn can help improve waste clearance in the brain and prevent build up that may lead to disease.
The goal of this clinical trial is to demonstrate that non-invasive stimulation of the trigeminal nerve can be used to restore blood flow and consequently modulate CSF flow into the brain parenchyma to facilitate brain waste clearance that is impaired in patients with AD. This study will collect brain MRI data on 20 healthy cognitively unimpaired adults receiving intermittent trigeminal nerve branch (V1) stimulation. Participants with recent mild traumatic brain injuries will also be enrolled to establish feasibility within a clinically relevant population.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
55
fNIRS is a non-invasive imaging technique which takes advantage of the light scattering and absorption differences between oxygenated (HbO) and de-oxygenated hemoglobin (HbDO) to characterize changes in cerebral hemodynamics in response to a given task or stimulus.
The V1 electrodes will be placed on the forehead with some gel and held in place with a headband or cap (a conductive adhesive gel may be placed under the electrodes to help with stimulation). Participants will receive short electrical stimulations through these electrodes that will differ in intensity.
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
RECRUITINGChange in blood flow through the brain parenchyma - fNIRS
The fNIRS device will record changes in the blood oxygen level in the brain that is caused by the V1 stimulation.
Time frame: Baseline to 4 hours
Change in blood flow through the brain - MRI
The MRI will record changes in the blood oxygen level in the brain that is caused by the V1 stimulation.
Time frame: Baseline to 90 minutes
Change in cerebrospinal fluid flow
MRI scan will be used to measure the flow of cerebrospinal fluid before, during and after stimulation.
Time frame: Baseline to 90 minutes
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Participants will undergo 2 90-minute MRI sessions